Counting down, making lists, prepping the boat for ocean crossings - Atlantic and Pacific. More lists.

The Burgess family is preparing to leave terra firma AGAIN! 

Our dream of cruising started almost 2 decades ago. After doing it for over 10,000 miles on a wonderful monohull, s/v ULIAD, (see older blogs) with an infant and toddler in the Caribbean, it's time to try 2 hulls. Zen, our 2005 Atlantic 48' Chris White catamaran has been terrific this summer. She's perfect for taking us to the Pacific. It already feels like HOME.

Kids, grades 3 and 5, are enjoying their final year of land based school. We'll sail Zen down to Florida after hurricane season and let her be our vacation destination this winter. As soon as school ends in June, it's time to cast off and move away from US waters. February '09 will be the timeframe for Panama Canal. Beyond that, weather will be our guide.

We are looking forward to hearing your stories, sailing plans and exchanging ideas. The cruising community is something we cherish. We are ready for the lifestyle containing SSBs, to-do lists, book and dvd exchanges, weather charts, dinghy visits and sunsets.